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Q&A: CBC Over The Rainbow Judge Louise Pitre
Canadian musical theatre icon Louise Pitre talks about the process of choosing a Dorothy on CBC’s Over The Rainbow
Louise Pitre
Dorothy Gale is one of the most beloved heroines of literature and film. First brought to life in L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz at the turn of the 20th century, the image of the little girl from Kansas became forever immortalized by Judy Garland in the 1939 MGM film adaptation.
Beginning this December, Toronto’s Ed Mirvish Theatre will play host to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s new stage production of The Wizard of Oz. Talented hopefuls from Canada’s major cities—Vancouver, Calgary, Winnipeg, Montreal, Halifax and Toronto—auditioned in June with dreams of donning that famous blue gingham pinafore and stepping into those glittering red shoes.
The top 20 finalists from the auditions spent the summer at a musical theatre boot camp known as the Dorothy Farm, where they have competed against one another to be among the 10 finalists who make up the CBC’s show Over the Rainbow, where a Dorothy will be chosen over several weeks.
The program, which airs Sundays and Mondays at 8pm, features a trio of judges made up of UK television judge and director Arlene Philips, Stratford headliner Thom Allison and Canada’s first lady of musical theatre, Louise Pitre (Les Misérables, Mamma Mia!). Theatromania was fortunate enough to chat with Pitre about the Dorothy competition, and the daunting task of trying to fill Judy Garland’s ruby slippers.
Theatromania: Do you remember the first time you read or watched The Wizard of Oz? Tell us about that experience.
LP: I was a kid in Montreal. I saw the movie on TV. A French dubbed version!!! It was the most fantastical thing I had ever seen. I did not know the story. It made me realized that a young girl like myself could be in a movie and sing! A revelation for me.
Theatromania: A role as famous as Dorothy is not an easy one to fill—it requires a great deal of talent and commitment from one outstanding performer. What exactly are the judges looking for, and what would you say are the three most important qualities of a potential Dorothy?
LP: I think truthfulness, vulnerability and total commitment are what I would love to see. She has to be feisty and strong but you must see the child in her, too.
Theatromania: The hopefuls have been honing their acting, singing and dancing skills at a place called the “Dorothy Farm.” What specific activities were involved in this performance boot camp, and do you think the contestants will be adequately prepared for what is to come?
LP: They did some physical conditioning, choreography and vocal work (both technical and song performance). I think it is a pretty short period of time in which to learn a huge amount! I don’t believe a total novice could hope to be prepared for the hardship of the grueling eight-show-a-week schedule with only this boot camp. Having said that, I am seeing some rather poised young women who make me realize that they are most likely more experienced than I had thought.
Theatromania: If you could give each contestant one piece of advice, what would it be?
LP: Be real. Do not try to be, just be! Nothing put-on! If it feels uncomfortable, it probably looks it.
Over The Rainbow airs Sundays and Mondays at 8pm (8:30 NT). Visit CBC.ca/overtherainbow for more details, vote for your favourite Dorothy or buy tickets to the show.
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